Station Interchange

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has significant ambitions for the Station Interchange Area. With Network Rail it is promoting a £800m scheme to redevelop Reading Station and improve its operational capacity. This has now received government backing and work is programmed to commence in 2009.

People living or working at Station Hill will have close, direct and convenient access to the station. Station Hill will also provide improved pedestrian connections to and from all locations in the town centre and to Station Road in particular. The potential to reduce car use is immense. Similar principles apply to the use of the Arts Centre and retail facilities being provided.

Buses

Station Hill is accessible from all parts of Reading by bus with 14 bus stops located in close proximity to the Station Hill site. Further improvements are being planned.

BRT

RBC is promoting a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that will improve overall accessibility within Reading. Station Hill will provide a stop on that network close to the project and the station. The BRT will increase the accessibility and sustainability of the Interchange Area. Station Hill will be a principle beneficiary of this enhancement.

Pedestrian and Cycle Access

The existing physical configuration of Station Hill effectively deters convenient pedestrian and cycle movement across the site. Current pedestrian connections are convoluted and threatening. The Masterplan for the proposed Station Hill scheme will deliver new connections to Merchants Place, Friars Walk and a diagonal route from the station to Greyfriars Road that will enhance pedestrian routes to the new Chatham Place development. The whole area will become far more permeable and further encourage pedestrian and cycle movements.